20 Best Tips

First Week Back After Break – Homeschool and Life Happenings

Jan112018

You know what they say about the best laid plans, right? After getting everything lined up to start up after our Christmas break, Monday morning started with a call from the ER. My grandmother had called an ambulance and spent some time with the doctors there and needed someone to bring her home. (She is fine - no worries.) So - the day already had a big kink in it and the plans to whip … [Continue reading...]

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Filed Under: 11th grade, 5th Grade, 7th Grade, 9th Grade, Weekly Wrap Up 4 Comments

Our Favorite Homeschool Writing Curriculum

Jan92018

There was a time period many years ago where both of our girls hated writing. All the joy, fun, and creativity had been sucked out of that subject thanks to me and the belief that writing could only be done one way (thank.you.very.much), and there was no wiggle room allowed. (I was desperately wrong, in case you were wondering). Many of us get caught up in the ‘right way’ to teach something (or … [Continue reading...]

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Filed Under: Giveaways, Opinions and Reviews, Reviews: My Favorites, Writing Leave a Comment

Still No School (but lots of rest) – Homeschool and Life Happenings

Jan52018

This week has been a slow and wonderful week. Truly.  We started off the week driving home from upstate NY where we had been visiting Rick's family after Christmas. It was COLD, you all. Saturday was a balmy 16 degrees, so the kids were excited to go ice skating at the local rink. That lasted less than an hour, but hey - they did it, right?  We returned home with … [Continue reading...]

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Filed Under: 11th grade, 5th Grade, 7th Grade, 9th Grade, Weekly Wrap Up Leave a Comment

17th Birthday Sale from WriteShop (and a FREE gift)

Jan22018

Next week I'll be sharing an in-depth look at the WriteShop program we are using with Zachary, BUT I didn't want any of you to miss a special sale WriteShop is holding in honor of their 17th birthday!  Their programs have been a favorite in our family for many years, and we cannot recommend them highly enough. Save 17% off (and receive a FREE gift) when you buy any digital set or bundle … [Continue reading...]

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My Top 10 Favorite Books from 2017

Jan12018

Overall my reading goal for 2017 was 70 books, specifically 12 non-fiction (since those are hardest for me) and then a whole lot of fiction (because that's my favorite).  All of you that read non-fiction without a problem - I'm jealous.  For me, it's been a work-in-progress over the years to step back from the "I can only read one chapter a day and need to thoughtfully contemplate … [Continue reading...]

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Filed Under: Reading, Reading for Mom 4 Comments

5th Grade Mid-Year Homeschool Update

Dec282017

The week before Christmas we shared a mid-year update for our 11th grader,  one for our 9th grader and our 7th grader. This week we will wrap it all up with our 5th grader, Kaleb.  Our main focus this year has been Kaleb's reading, since he has struggled in this area for quite some time. Confidence is a HUGE goal and fluency - and the first one can be tricky. One thing I … [Continue reading...]

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Filed Under: 5th Grade, Curriculum Choices, Kaleb, Weekly Wrap Up 7 Comments